Celebrate

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday

with Us

The HistoryMakers Annual Open House
Monday, January 16th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

On Monday, January 16, 2006, The HistoryMakers, in collaboration with N’Digo and The Chicago Defender, hosted its second annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration and Open House at Second Presbyterian Church. The program began with a panel discussion entitled, “The State of the Nation Since the Death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Is the Civil Rights Era Dead?” This discussion was moderated by WVON Radio Host Cliff Kelley and featured respected 93-year-old (at the time) Judge George Leighton, activist Timuel Black, publicist Hermene Hartman and attorney James Montgomery, all of whom are HistoryMakers. The panelists shared their views on the state of the nation since Dr. King’s death, the condition of Black America and social change in today’s society. Over 400 were in attendance. The provocative discussion also examined each panelist’s rich history and their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Attendees lined up to ask questions of panelists.  

The Whitney Young High School Gospel Choir performed. Following the symposium, over 100 people attended tours of The HistoryMakers’ archives and participated in oral history training sessions. The event served as a catalyst for audience members to reevaluate their personal involvement in preserving African American history and to see the work of The HistoryMakers firsthand.  

To order a DVD of this program click here.

The Whitney Young High School Gospel Choir	Julieanna Richardson conducting a tour of The HistoryMakers’ Office
Judge George Leighton, Hermene Hartman, Julieanna Richardson, Timuel Black and Cliff Kelley	Moderator Cliff Kelley